WBEZ | red light cameras

Aldermen skeptical of speed camera plan

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 22:16:00 -0500

Some Chicago aldermen remain skeptical of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to put speed cameras around schools and parks. The ordinance introduced at Wednesday's City Council meeting would allow cameras to catch speeders within an eighth of mile of schools and parks.

North Side Ald. Scott Waguespack says the plan has not been well received in his ward.

"People were really upset with the whole policy in general," said Waguespack.

Waguespack said aldermen have not been given enough information on how the plan would achieve Emanuel's long-stated goal to protect kids.

The mayor continued to defend the ordinence Wednsday after introducing it Wednesday, saying the the plan asks people to "abide by the law" and "acts as a deterance" to would-be speeders.

"It has shown time and again to have done that, and that's the goal," said Emanuel.

Emanuel brought in a Fr. Christopher Devron from Christ the King Jesuit Preperatory Church and two doctors from Children's Memorial Hosptial to help argue his case to reporters.

But critics say the cameras are a money grab for the cash-strapped city.

Emanuel recently made minor changes to his camera plan, and cutting down the number of cameras and the hours of operation around schools from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. instead of 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

"I'm open to ideas that help enforce, help improve the bill, but I won't compromise on the bill as it relates to protecting our children," said Emanuel.

West Side Alderman Walter Burnett said others aldermen are asking for more concessions from the mayor.

Emanuel lobbies for school zone speed cameras with House vote pending

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:58:00 -0600

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is lobbying hard for a bill that would allow the city to use red light cameras to catch speeders near school zones and parks.

The measure quickly passed the Senate two weeks ago, but some representatives say it could face stiffer opposition in the House, which is expected to vote this week.

Emanuel insisted the cameras are needed to slow down drivers in school zones.

"If you follow the law, you have nothing to worry about," said Emanuel. "Simple. As you follow the law, this is not a problem. If you break the law, obviously you've got a concern, and all I'm saying is don't do it near a school or park."

Under the proposal, drivers caught speeding near parks and schools could face a $100 dollar fine. The bill approved by the Senate allows cameras around schools to operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on school days and from one hour before opening and after closing for parks. Emanuel said all ticketing revenue would go toward funding for various school programs, citing after school programs and speed bumps as examples.

Chicago Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein discussed how the city might use the cameras to catch speeders near school zones and parks. Klein said 79 current red light cameras are within one-eighth of a mile from a school or park. He said the city is looking into reworking those cameras to catch speeders.

"The goal is to change people's behavior," said Klein. "You have education, engineering and enforcement. And if you don't have enforcement the other two aren't as effective."

Klein said the city could start using the cameras as early as this summer. He said the city is also considering tracking speeders by placing specially equipped vans near safety zone intersections without red light cameras.

Klein said enforcement would follow a 30-day grace period, where warnings would be issued to people caught speeding.

Naperville council votes to end red light cameras

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:27:00 -0500

West suburban Naperville is ending it's red-light camera program. A split vote on Tuesday resulted in the council nixing the red light camera program. They cited statistics that show red light cameras have reduced collisions at some intersections.

But two of the city's three cameras must be removed during upcoming construction. Council members have debated whether it makes financial sense to keep the last camera.

Karen DeAngelis is the Director of Finance for the city of Naperville. She said the average net monthly revenue is $65,000 dollars from all three cameras. The average monthly maintenance is $29,000 dollars. DeAngelis said the remaining camera is at the least violated of all intersections, so it may not result in the city making money off of it.

Councilman Bob Fieseler said that's in part because motorists have become more cautious and there are now fewer violations.

"Let's take government out of the enforcement business until there's a problem," Fieseler said.

Fieseler said the question remains as to whether violations will creep back up without the cameras.

In January, Naperville will go back to catching motorists entirely the old fashioned way with police officers.

Stopping the camera program will pile an additional $200,000 dollars to the city's $1.9 million dollar shortfall in next year's budget.

So Bud bought Goose Island. Look on the bright side, we might see some hilarious Goose Island commercials!

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:14:00 -0500

Top story: All hell is breaking loose because Spuds McKenzie bought Goose Island? Relax everyone. It's going to be fine. I, for one, can't wait for the hilarious Goose Island commercials with young drinkers doing whatever it takes to get a 312 or a Honkers Ale. Honkers Ale? I'm sure the fine people at Leo Burnett are already working up a line of ads that give us "Honker Man," who despite his big nose and geeky persona, scores with the ladies because of beer. Gold! Man, I should work in advertising...

B story: So Jerry Kleiner is just folding up shop and moving on? How will we live without his colorfully striped rayon shirts?

The restaurant magnet that helmed KDK group for years and brought high-concept dining to the forefront in Chicago has run into tax problems. Giocco in the South Loop closed last week because they weren't paying select taxes. And then Red Light in the West Loop was closed for operating without a liquor license, which was not renewed. Throw in the closing of Marche in the fall and KDK is in a free fall. Kleiner is interesting because he made fine dining hot without star chefs. Today, he has to compete with the Izards and the Achatz of the world. It's a sad ending to a very instrumental time in Chicago's culinary scene. It seems to be kind of a chaotic mess, but I guess that's how restaurants do it: Burn bright and flame out. They rarely tell you they are closing, or do a liquidation sale for two months like Borders.

But here's the thing, Jerry: Haven't you learned anything about running a business in Illinois? When you don't want to pay taxes, don't close up shop. Just threaten to leave the state. In other words, pull a "Caterpillar."

C story: The Better Government Association and Fox Chicago did an investigation into CTA buses and red light camera tickets. It turns out that a tremendous amount of those tickets are slapped on cars and buses with M plates, not to mention CTA buses. But do the CTA bus drivers pay? Nope, CTA does - $227,000 since 2006. That means it gets passed on to taxpayers and riders in the forms of more federal/state funding and fare hikes. So the next time you want that bus to get through that yellow light so you can get home faster, remember it will probably cost you about $4 - maybe even more if the bus isn't packed.

Weather: Still unseasonably cold. Although my iPhone tells me we might hit the 50s by Sunday.

Sports: Okay fine, you got us, Blackhawks. We'll start paying attention now. The Blackhawks were on the verge of playing golf this April. They lost some key games down the stretch and were watching from the bottom of the playoff brackets. Last night, they gave Chicago a taste why they won the Stanley Cup with a 3-2 OT win over the Red Wings in Detroit. Will this be the game that wakes up the Hawks? Come on Hawks, we need a playoff run! We want mass hysteria in the West Loop for both the Hawks and the Bulls. For a while there, it looked like we might get it - but the Hawks need to hold up their end of the bargain. So let's put our rally caps on and hope the Hawks pull a UCONN and win 9 or so in a row. Think of the local economy, fellas. A good strong surge? And those t-shirt/hat shops on Michigan Avenue (just south of Wacker) can stay in business.

Kicker: Mission Amy KR never ceases to amaze me. Another great mission last week, where Amy Krouse Rosenthal asked her readers to send in pictures to show solidarity and support for the Japanese people. You did. And she put together this great slideshow:

ACLU report details city's use of cameras around Chicago

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:03:00 -0600

A leading civil rights group wants Chicago to stop expanding its network of thousands of cameras covering the city due to privacy issues, First Amendment concerns and a lack of regulation, according to a report released Tuesday.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois called for a full review of the cameras, which number at least 10,000 and are at locations from skyscrapers to utility poles, saying city officials won't release basic information like the exact number, cost and any incidents of misuse.

Those concerns, along with city officials' plans for expansion, put Chicago a step closer to a Big Brother invasion of privacy, the ACLU alleged.

"Chicago's camera network invades the freedom to be anonymous in public places, a key aspect of the fundamental American right to be left alone," the report states. "Each of us then will wonder whether the government is watching and recording us when we walk into a psychiatrist's office, a reproductive health care center, a political meeting, a theater performance, or a book store."

The system, which started less than a decade ago, has been called the most extensive and integrated camera network of any U.S. city by former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. Chicago police have praised the cameras' use and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has even called for cameras to be installed on every city corner to help fight crime.

Chicago police and Daley have lauded the cameras and defended their use, saying they help authorities respond more quickly and have led to more than 4,000 arrests. Daley's office didn't respond to requests for comment about the report.

The network includes private cameras and those installed by city agencies, like the Chicago Transit Authority. While many of the cameras are visible like those with flashing blue lights affixed to street poles countless others are unmarked. City officials have been tight-lipped about how many cameras Chicago has in place, but no one has disputed that there are at least 10,000, including more than 4,000 installed by Chicago Public Schools and at least 1,000 at O'Hare International Airport.

In its report, the ACLU outlined three specific technologies that exceed the powers of ordinary human observation and increase the government's power to watch the public: zoom, facial recognition capacity and automatic tracking.

"Chicago's growing camera network is part of an expanding culture of surveillance in America. Combined with other government surveillance technologies, cameras can turn our lives into open books for government scrutiny," the report says. "Chicago's camera network chills and deters lawful expressive activities protected by the First Amendment, like attending a political demonstration in the public way."

ACLU officials said the city declined to give the group information on the cameras, including a tour of its operation center, statistics on crime and cost estimates. According to the report, surrounding communities have paid hefty sums for cameras; suburban Cicero has 30 cameras which cost $580,000.

The group said that money could be better spent on adding more police officers to Chicago streets, among other things. It added that there has been little research showing the cameras deter crime.

In addition to the moratorium, the agency recommended more public input, regular audits, rules and regulation on who can view the images, public notice before installing a camera and disclosure of any abuse. The report cites cases in other cities where "male camera operators have ogled women."

Public complaints about the cameras haven't been widespread and are generally limited to those who get caught for a minor offense or if the cameras fail to record a violent attack.

Authorities say cameras played a prominent role in several high-profile cases. Footage from a city bus camera helped persuade a suspected gang member to plead guilty to shooting a 16-year-old high school student in 2007. Cameras helped police determine that the 2009 death of a school board president was a suicide.

Chicago police spokeswoman Lt. Maureen Biggane said she had not seen the ACLU report.

"The Chicago Police Department is committed to safeguarding the civil liberties of city residents and visitors alike," she said in a statement. "Public safety is a responsibility of paramount importance and we are fully committed to protecting the public from crime, and upholding the constitutional rights of all."

New Illinois law targets red light cameras

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:05:00 -0600

A new Illinois law will bring more scrutiny to controversial red light camera programs. More cities have begun using the cameras at intersections.

While supporters tout increased safety, others see a Big Brother approach to law enforcement. Illinois lawmakers say the cameras also show no discretion, pointing out motorists who have been ticketed when they barely cross a stop line.

The General Assembly and Governor approved a law that takes effect January 1st. It will prohibit a citation for those who come to a complete stop without entering the intersection.

Chicago Democratic House member John D'Amico pushed for the change.

"Before if you eased over the line a little bit you still got a ticket. You will not get that ticket now, but you have to come to complete stop. You just can't roll through the intersection," he said.

Tickets could still be given in such cases when a pedestrian is present. The law will require a police officer to sign off on all red light violations before any tickets are issued. An image of a violation must also be made available on a website and towns will need to notify the public where the cameras are posted.